Amaravati Raja Gopuram to be demolished

Amaravati (Guntur): Endowments department issued orders to demolish 'South Raja Gopuram' of Amaralingeswara Swami temple as it is in a dilapidated condition even as devotees objected the move.

The 160-year-old structure, which was built by Raja Vasireddy Venkatadri Naidu, had developed cracks of late.

The government appointed an expert committee to conduct tests on the temple tower. However, the government issued Rs 4, 60, 000 for demolition of orders to bring down the structure.

Devotees say that the temple is one of five 'Pancharamas' (five Siva temples located in the state) and had great significance culturally and historically. It is better to carry out repair works to the structure than pulling it down in order to preserve the temple history.